Document And Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 29, 2011	Nov. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Entity Registrant Name	SHOE CARNIVAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000895447
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-28
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 192,685,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		13,354,469
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 29, 2011